The farewell of Calçats Conesa shakes the commercial heart of Gràcia

Calçats Conesa, Gràcia's most emblematic shoe shop, is closing after 145 years. The premises, opposite Mercat de la Llibertat, are being offered for rent. Barcelona's traditional commerce is losing another historic landmark.

The definitive closure of Calçats Conesa leaves a void in Gràcia that is difficult to fill. The shoe shop, located opposite Mercat de la Llibertat, has pulled down its shutters after 145 years of history. For those who walk through the neighbourhood every day, the news means far more than the disappearance of a shop: it is the loss of a symbol of local identity and of Barcelona's commercial memory.

Founded in 1880 as a small espadrille shop, Conesa evolved with the neighbourhood and the city. In 1929, it took advantage of the International Exposition to modernise and broaden its offer, adapting to Barcelonans' new tastes and needs. Over five generations, the owner family kept the business afloat, resisting urban-planning changes and the transformation of local retail.

In recent years, the shop joined initiatives to revitalise the area, such as the artistic intervention on its shutter in 2010. However, at the end of 2025, the family decided to close permanently. They cite family reasons and a lack of institutional support for historic businesses, in a context of ever-higher rents and fierce competition.

The premises, which remain family property, are now being offered for rent. This situation reflects a worrying trend: between 2019 and 2022, Barcelona lost one in every five shoe shops. The number of footwear and leather shops fell by 23% in just three years, leaving many neighbourhoods without traditional landmarks.

Gràcia is not an exception. Other historic businesses, such as Ferretería Camps and Forn Santa Clara, have disappeared recently. Rising rents and pressure from online commerce have accelerated the closure of businesses with decades of history, changing the character of the streets and residents' everyday life.

Mercat de la Llibertat, opposite which Calçats Conesa was located, is one of Barcelona's oldest and most emblematic markets. Inaugurated in 1888, it stands out for its modernist architecture and its role as a meeting point for Gràcia residents. Over the years, it has adapted to changes in the neighbourhood, combining tradition and modernity in its range of fresh and local products. Its surroundings, full of small shops and cafés, reflect the vitality and unique character of this area of the city.